Final answer:
The statement is true as anxiety disorders tend to be less common among older adults compared to depression. While anxiety disorders are very common among U.S. adults in general, depression remains a significant concern for the older population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that anxiety disorders are less common in older adults than depression is True. Anxiety disorders are indeed the most common mental disorders in the United States, affecting nearly 18% of U.S. adults yearly and 28% over a lifetime. However, while anxiety is prevalent among adults, its prevalence tends to decrease with age. On the other hand, depression's prevalence does not diminish as significantly with age and can be a major concern for older adults. Major mood disorders like depression and dysthymic disorder, along with bipolar disorder, are among the leading causes of hospitalization related to illnesses in the U.S.
Anxiety disorders comprise a range of conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social and specific phobias. Depression, which is a type of mood disorder, is characterized by prolonged periods of overwhelming sadness and a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, which can severely affect an individual's daily functioning. The nuances between occasional feelings of anxiety or sadness and the clinical diagnosis of anxiety disorders or depression are critical in understanding their prevalence and impact across different age groups.